A Los Angeles judge has finally handed down a sentence to the man convicted of gunning down Nipsey Hussle.
On Wednesday, Superior Court Judge H. Clay Jacke II, sentenced Eric R. Holder Jr. to 60 years to life in prison after hearing testaments to the immense cost of the killing of the hip-hop star, and of the mental illness, abuse and struggle of the man who shot him.
Holder Jr., 33, was found guilty of the 2019 first-degree murder of the 33-year-old Grammy-nominated hip-hop artist outside the clothing store Hussle founded, the Marathon, in the South Los Angeles neighborhood where both men grew up.
“I am very mindful of what was presented as to Mr. Holder’s mental health,” Jacke said. “I am also mindful of the devastation caused to the victims and their families. I believe this sentence balances the two.”
After the monthlong trial, jurors in July also convicted Holder of two counts of attempted voluntary manslaughter and two counts of assault with a firearm for gunfire that hit two other men at the scene who survived.
Jacke sentenced Holder to 25 years to life for the murder, 25 more for a firearm sentencing enhancement and 10 for assault with a firearm. He set several other sentencing additions and ordered that others run concurrent. He also gave Holder credit for the nearly four years he has served since the shooting.
Holder, dressed in orange jail attire, stared straight ahead throughout the proceedings and did not react when the sentence was read, and spoke only to tell the judge he understood the circumstances when he was asked.
His attorney’s detailed a childhood of physical abuse and poverty in an effort to get a reduced sentenced.
He also said Holder suffered “a terrible descent into mental illness” that led to “years of torment and struggle” with issues including agonizing auditory hallucinations that resisted all attempts at treatment.
His father Eric Holder Sr. also submitted a letter apologizing to Hussle’s family and to the other victims.
“I know there are not enough words that would fill the void, the pain, the deep sorrow that they feel,” the letter read. “I question myself every day asking if I as a father did everything to help Eric Jr. stabilize his mental health.”
Lauren London, who was Hussle’s partner and the mother of his young son, did not attend any part of the trial, nor did any of his relatives, and none gave impact statements.
